Appropriations process could linger into October

House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, Thursday conceded that not all of the FY 2000 appropriations bills would likely be enacted by the end of FY 1999, which is September 30 - likely leading to late session negotiations with the president.

"We are going to be here with a continuing resolution for some period of time," he said.

Although Armey repeatedly said Republicans would not touch Social Security money, he did not state unequivocally that Congress would not break the budget caps.

"We have done a very good job of discipline in the House," he said. "I cannot predict how that will turn out." A spokesman added that Armey thinks "we can and will live within the cap."

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., Thursday indicated Democrats will not help Republicans work out their appropriations bills until funding levels for all the bills are reworked.

"Let's change the blueprint so we can finish building the house," Gephardt told reporters. "[Republicans] are now in the last stages of building a house that won't stand."

Gephardt said overall appropriations levels could be raised without dipping into the Social Security trust fund by using offsets suggested in President Clinton's budget, including a tobacco tax.